It is what it is… December 25, 2024 – Jen Brien

by Jennifer Brien, contributing writer, commentary

MERRY CHRISTMAS, GANG!!!!!!

Is it just me? Or did CHRISTMAS sneak attack us this season? I swear to GOD, each year it gets here even sooner than the last! I mean, I know I’m getting old but DANG time flies!!!!! ANYHOW, here we are! CHRISTMAS 2024!

This past year seemed to be very intense for a lot of people and to quote TOM BRADY “there’s a lot of $h!t going on” in all of our personal lives and all over the world. I truly hope wherever you are and whoever you are that is reading this, you have some PEACE TODAY. Enjoy your family if you have them, or friends, or pets… and if none of the above is applicable… find something GOD has blessed you with in your world.

Over the past few weeks, I’ve come into contact with a woman who is dying of cancer, (this will be her last Christmas), as well as homeless people who have been sleeping outside in these BITTER TEMPS… I drove away from both experiences thinking how blessed I am and how grateful I am to be healthy and have the basic necessities of life. A hot meal, a warm bed, a shower… my sanity… we take all these things for granted. We do. We take TIME for granted as well – and comfort. ANYTHING can happen at any moment in this life that could dramatically shift and change our reality.

I’m not trying to lecture, I’m just trying to provide a gentle reminder today that time is fleeting, and life moves fast. Whether you celebrate CHRISTMAS as a religious holiday or a secular event the common theme is PEACE and gratitude. We all have assignments in this crazy world, and we all have much to be grateful for. I for one am so grateful you read what I have to say each week. I value all of you more than you know… take a sec and think about your life. How often do we REALLY reflect honestly about it?

——————————

WORST OFFICE CHRISTMAS GIFTS EVER:

FAKE winning lottery tickets

JEAN NATE from an “ESTATE SALE”

MOUTHWASH

A re-gifted OPENED bottle of BODY WASH

LINT ROLLER

POST IT NOTES stolen FROM the OFFICE

COMPRESSION socks

An empty bottle of hard liquor with a candle in it

A HUGE bottle of POO

10$ gift card to “LUCILLE’S LAUNDRYMAT”

Sheets that have been used

A day pass to the “ACI”

—————————————–

WEIRD, BUT TRUE FACTS ABOUT “CHRISTMAS VACATION”

“CHRISTMAS VACATION” is based on a short story by John Hughes

THE film’s budget was MASSIVE!  $27 million in 1989!

AUNT BETHANY played OLIVE OIL in the old POPEYE cartoons

There is a “CHRISTMAS VACATION 2” (I own it…. awful)

There was an earthquake during the filming of the scene when AUNT Bethany and UNCLE Lewis arrive at the GRISWALDS. LOOK closely for the shaking camera!

Chevy Chase actually broke his finger when he flipped out during the scene when the lights were not working on the house!

Leonardo DiCaprio was in the running for RUSTY

When Clark is lying in bed looking through PEOPLE magazine, the film’s director graces the FRONT COVER!

Beverly D’Angelo improvised the moment she freezes with her hand on Clark’s crotch when the FEDS bust in at the end!

Cousin EDDIE empties his septic tank while drinking a beer – that beer “MEISTER BRAU” is no longer around!

————————–

“AN ETIQUETTE GUIDE TO REGIFTING”

Don’t regift in the “SAME CIRCLE”

DO NOT REGIFT sentimental gifts!

MAKE SURE YOU regift in the “original packaging”

DON’T tell the original giver you’re REGIFTING!

Make sure there are no HIDDEN NOTES!

ELEVATE the original presentation!

Do not regift PARTIALLY USED ITEMS!

IF you get caught… CONFESS!

That’s ALL I GOT FOR THIS WEEK GANG…….”IT IS WHAT IT IS”

Jen

P.S leave your comments on the bottom of this column! Find me on FACEBOOK AT Jennifer Brien, or email me [email protected]

___

Jen Brien has over 20 years of radio broadcast experience having hosted shows on WPRO and WHJJ with Ron as well as her own shows on WRKO and WBZ in Boston, WXTK on Cape Cod and WHAM in Rochester, New York. Jen was born and raised in Woonsocket and served six years in the Army MP Canine Unit.

To read more columns and commentary by Jen, go here: https://rinewstoday.com/ron-st-pierre-jen-brien/